So, I didn't see all of last week's show due to my DVR not recording, but I'm here this week with a full recap and review of this week's songsters. So on to the show!
Jasmine – Absolutely the wrong song choice. I agree with the judges that she should have sung something more R&B. Her voice is all wrong for "Love Song", not too mention it was too fast for her to keep up with. Bye-bye Jasmine.
Matt – I really liked Matt during Hollywood and was expecting him to do well. But ss soon as he said he was singing "Viva la Vida", I knew it would be a train wreck. Why are these contestants picking songs with fast melodies that don’t showcase their voices? "Viva la Vida" works for Coldplay because of the musicality, not the vocal range it lends itself to. I heard Matt breathing more than I heard him singing. I'm totally disappointed.
Jeanine - I don't remember this girl from H-wood, but that's okay, she'll be going soon enough. Her performance is an even worse train wreck than Matt with her choice of a Maroon5 song. I bet the judges are kicking themselves for even putting her through.
Nick/Norman - The contestant with Dissociative Identity Disorder. Who’s it going to be tonight? Frick, it’s Norman, and he's wearing a sweat band! This performance is so not entertaining that i choose to fast forward through it. Please don’t vote for him. All hail the Church of Simon!
Allison – Finally someone who knows how to pick a song! I really like her voice, but she needs a new hair style. So far, she's the only one that should make it through.
Kris – I don’t really like the song, but it showcased his voice. Where were these people in the Hollywood rounds? He might go through if everyone else sucks, but his performance was kind of bland.
Megan – She started off well, then started shouting. I don't think she stands out enough for this competition. I didn't like her song choice, so I'm not giving her a pass.
Matt 2 – Although he's better than the first few singers, he sounds like he’s singing karaoke, especially with his song choice. And what is with his dancing? Not a great singer, but he might get through on likeability alone.
Jesse – I really like her look and her voice reminds me of KT Tunstall or Alanna Miles. I don’t particularly like "Bette Davis Eyes" for her, but I like her voice a lot. This might not have been her best performance, but I think she should go through.
Kai – Another karaoke performance. Average and boring.
Mishavonna- "Drops of Jupiter"? Really?! She has a nice voice, but I absolutely abhorred the song choice. I could hear her singing Christina Aguilera or Kate Voegele, but this performance won't give her the chance to try.
Adam – This is the guy I’ve been waiting for. I think he needs a stylist, but I really, really like him. He sings "Satisfaction" and he delivers. I didn't like the Fall Out Boy/Twighlight comparison, I think he's more like an emo Sebastian Bach.
But either way, the judges are right that this kid is in a class all his own. You're going down, Gokey!
My top 3: Allison, Adam, and Jesse
Whose performances did you like? Did you love or hate Adam's rendition of the Rolling Stones?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Summer Faves Get Early Returns
When the rest of the television world is starting to wrap up its season, a few gems are unearthed a few months early to shine while the others fade away. And this year, two of everyone's favorite summer shows - GREEK and My Boys are returning earlier than expected, on March 30 and 31, respectively.
On the My Boys front, it's been nine long months since TBS left us waiting to find out if Bobby will choose PJ over his fiance (Elsa the Swedish nanny) on the eve of his wedding, and the real status of Nina and Andy's "relationship."
Over on ABCFamily, we'll learn the fate of ZBZ once Frannie's new sorority makes its debut. And will Max prove himself to be the one for Casey, or will Cappie always be looming?
Are you excited that these shows are kicking off at the end of March? Or are you sad that now you don't have any fun summer shows to look forward to?
On the My Boys front, it's been nine long months since TBS left us waiting to find out if Bobby will choose PJ over his fiance (Elsa the Swedish nanny) on the eve of his wedding, and the real status of Nina and Andy's "relationship."
Over on ABCFamily, we'll learn the fate of ZBZ once Frannie's new sorority makes its debut. And will Max prove himself to be the one for Casey, or will Cappie always be looming?
Are you excited that these shows are kicking off at the end of March? Or are you sad that now you don't have any fun summer shows to look forward to?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Getting LOST in '09
LOST is back, my friends! I'm super excited to finally get some answers about the Island, like why it's jumping through time, how the "Others" got there, how the Oceaic Six get back, and where the heck Richard Alpert gets his eyeliner.
But so far, Season 5 is NO Season 4, and here's why:
-Too much screentime for the newbies. I get that Faraday is the link to the Island's time-tripping, but why do we need an annoying redhead and an Asian guy that hears dead people?
-The only original Losties still on the Island are Sawyer, Locke, Rose, Bernard, and Vincent the dog. And let's face it, Rose and B do NOT get enough screen time.
-The O6ers turn out to be really, really annoying. One can only hope that returning to the Island erases all their stupid behavior in the "real world."
-Sawyer is lookin' kind of flabby. Guess his workout equipment vanished in the flash.
-No more character-centric episodes.
-We STILL don't know who in the world is supplying Richard Alpert with eyeliner! Is there a Walgreens we don't know about?!
What are your loves/complaints about this season of LOST? Share them here!
But so far, Season 5 is NO Season 4, and here's why:
-Too much screentime for the newbies. I get that Faraday is the link to the Island's time-tripping, but why do we need an annoying redhead and an Asian guy that hears dead people?
-The only original Losties still on the Island are Sawyer, Locke, Rose, Bernard, and Vincent the dog. And let's face it, Rose and B do NOT get enough screen time.
-The O6ers turn out to be really, really annoying. One can only hope that returning to the Island erases all their stupid behavior in the "real world."
-Sawyer is lookin' kind of flabby. Guess his workout equipment vanished in the flash.
-No more character-centric episodes.
-We STILL don't know who in the world is supplying Richard Alpert with eyeliner! Is there a Walgreens we don't know about?!
What are your loves/complaints about this season of LOST? Share them here!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Dex and Deb are Married? To Each Other?
What kinds of things were going on in the Morgan household?
It appears that Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter, better known as brother and sister Dexter and Deb on Showtime's Dexter, got married over New Year's.
Relax! They're only siblings on TV.
It appears that Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter, better known as brother and sister Dexter and Deb on Showtime's Dexter, got married over New Year's.
Relax! They're only siblings on TV.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Yes, I saw Twilight...
and yes, I read the book. I went to see the movie over Thanksgiving, in a small, desolate movie theater in Illinois. My first reaction went something like this:
What! Where did that come from?! That's not what's supposed to happen!
OK, so the plot followed the book fairly closesly, and I completely understand the need to delete/tweak scenes for a movie audience. I especially liked the baseball game, which was one thing from the book that the movie truly brought to life, and laughed out loud as the vampire family tried to cook dinner by watching the Food Network. (although, wouldn't they remember how to cook from their human lives?)However, the movie lacked the fundamental point of the book -- the build up of the relationship between Edward and Bella -- and for that it felt like a waste. Here are some of the bad points:
The Casting - not only did all the teens look 25, but some of the main characters were very miscast. Robert Pattinson fit the look of Edward, but his acting was so over the top it was laughable. Kristen Stewart as Bella was horrid - completely out of place as the "damsel in distress" the book painted.
The Makeup- Why do all TV vampires have to have powdery skin with bright red lips? They're supposed to look like marble, not chalk!
The Acting - Robert Pattinson was horrible. Cute, but horrible. Good thing Edward is MIA for a large portion of book 2.
The Screenplay - Most of the dialogue was missing or changed from the book-- and the dialogue is what makes Bella and Edward's story somewhat believable. And what's worse - they stuck in direct quotes from the book at all the wrong moments.
The Direction - this is supposed to be a fantasy movie for teens and young adults, not an indie drug documentary. What was with all the grainy shots? And the repetitive piano score? And all the stupid montages?! And the really bad special effects? One would think that movie about vampires that can do extraordinary things would have taken that into consideration.
My overall grade: C-
What was your take on the film? Did you like it as much as the book?
What! Where did that come from?! That's not what's supposed to happen!
OK, so the plot followed the book fairly closesly, and I completely understand the need to delete/tweak scenes for a movie audience. I especially liked the baseball game, which was one thing from the book that the movie truly brought to life, and laughed out loud as the vampire family tried to cook dinner by watching the Food Network. (although, wouldn't they remember how to cook from their human lives?)However, the movie lacked the fundamental point of the book -- the build up of the relationship between Edward and Bella -- and for that it felt like a waste. Here are some of the bad points:
The Casting - not only did all the teens look 25, but some of the main characters were very miscast. Robert Pattinson fit the look of Edward, but his acting was so over the top it was laughable. Kristen Stewart as Bella was horrid - completely out of place as the "damsel in distress" the book painted.
The Makeup- Why do all TV vampires have to have powdery skin with bright red lips? They're supposed to look like marble, not chalk!
The Acting - Robert Pattinson was horrible. Cute, but horrible. Good thing Edward is MIA for a large portion of book 2.
The Screenplay - Most of the dialogue was missing or changed from the book-- and the dialogue is what makes Bella and Edward's story somewhat believable. And what's worse - they stuck in direct quotes from the book at all the wrong moments.
The Direction - this is supposed to be a fantasy movie for teens and young adults, not an indie drug documentary. What was with all the grainy shots? And the repetitive piano score? And all the stupid montages?! And the really bad special effects? One would think that movie about vampires that can do extraordinary things would have taken that into consideration.
My overall grade: C-
What was your take on the film? Did you like it as much as the book?
Friday, November 21, 2008
Is ABC Slipping? Network Cancels 'Quirky' Shows
First, Greys Anatomy fires the wonderful Brooke Smith after a poorly thought out lesbian storyline, then revives the dearly departed Denny as a "love interest" for still breathing, yet completely insane Izzy. (My theories on that later). And ABC is perfectly fine with it. And today, of all things, they cancel not one, but two promising shows - Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone. (They canceled Dirty Sexy Money too, but who really cares about that?)
Granted, I anticipated the Pushing Daisies demise. I thought it was a decent show, but it was a little too out-there for my usually quirky tastes. The love story was dragging and I found the cartoonish environment just a little too unbelievable - and I knew audiences would too. But Eli? I thought it had a little more support, but I can see how it might turn off some viewers with its recent political and moral undertones. It didn't help that this season it's displayed too many episodes with straightforward law-office storylines, haphazard visions, and missing supporting characters. In fact, I blame this all on a lack of George Michael.
On the bright side, ABC has picked up new episodes of Life on Mars and Lost returns on January 21st. Yipeee!
Granted, I anticipated the Pushing Daisies demise. I thought it was a decent show, but it was a little too out-there for my usually quirky tastes. The love story was dragging and I found the cartoonish environment just a little too unbelievable - and I knew audiences would too. But Eli? I thought it had a little more support, but I can see how it might turn off some viewers with its recent political and moral undertones. It didn't help that this season it's displayed too many episodes with straightforward law-office storylines, haphazard visions, and missing supporting characters. In fact, I blame this all on a lack of George Michael.
On the bright side, ABC has picked up new episodes of Life on Mars and Lost returns on January 21st. Yipeee!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Review: Life on Mars and Eleventh Hour
Two new dramas finally fill the black hole time slot up against “ER” on Thursday Nights: Life on Mars (ABC) and Eleventh Hour (CBS), both following the upward trend of stealing shows and actors from across the pond.
Life on Mars - B+
The eagerly awaited Life on Mars –a remake of the British show of the same name, which wrapped up only last year—follows detective Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) on a time-trip to 1973. In the middle of a murder investigation that ends in his girlfriend/fellow detective Maya (a grown-up Denise Huxtable, aka Lisa Bonet) missing, Sam is hit by a car and wakes up 35 years in the past and the owner of a new wardrobe and a David Bowie 8-track.
Times sure are different in 1973— no computers, no cell phones, polyester, moustaches, and female cops who are relegated to nurse duty. He attempts to solve his cases with 2008 logic while following the rules of 1973 and battling his superior Lt.Gene Hunt (the marvelous Harvey Keitel) and Det. Ray Carling (The Sopranos' Michael Imperioli)
Used to the male-female equality of the 21st century, Sam confides in Annie Norris (Gretchen Mol), the only woman in the precinct, and tries to use the intelligence she keeps hidden from her coworkers to solve cases – and the mystery of why he’s in 1973. Is he in a coma? A dream state? Crazy? A time-traveler? (Lord, I miss Journeyman!)
I’ve never seen the British Life on Mars, but for that I’m glad – I wouldn’t want to spoil any of the twists I’m sure are to come. I want to enjoy the ride with this one, although I don’t know how our talented American writers are going to keep Sam in ’73 for 22 episodes, when the original came to a conclusion after just 16.
Eleventh Hour - C
Fringe meets CSI in this new procedural from CBS – as if we didn’t have enough. Eleventh Hour is adapted from a British miniseries featuring Patrick Stewart as Dr. Jacob Hood, a biophysicist working for the FBI. The new installment is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer –what isn’t these days?—and stars British actor Rufus Sewell and his creepy eyes as the quirky doc. Hood and his FBI handler Rachel (Marley Shelton), a petite blonde with a sarcastic streak, investigate weird happenings across the U.S. — first, a cloning experiment in Seattle, then a case of 11 year old boys having heart attacks in the deep south.
The premise is a little bit more fantastic than your average procedural, but not as unpleasant as much of today’s science fiction, but fails to succeed at either one. Eleventh Hour may be a happy medium for viewers who want the strange but not the unbelievable, but its wavering nature only comes off as hesitation and self-doubt.
Life on Mars - B+
The eagerly awaited Life on Mars –a remake of the British show of the same name, which wrapped up only last year—follows detective Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) on a time-trip to 1973. In the middle of a murder investigation that ends in his girlfriend/fellow detective Maya (a grown-up Denise Huxtable, aka Lisa Bonet) missing, Sam is hit by a car and wakes up 35 years in the past and the owner of a new wardrobe and a David Bowie 8-track.
Times sure are different in 1973— no computers, no cell phones, polyester, moustaches, and female cops who are relegated to nurse duty. He attempts to solve his cases with 2008 logic while following the rules of 1973 and battling his superior Lt.Gene Hunt (the marvelous Harvey Keitel) and Det. Ray Carling (The Sopranos' Michael Imperioli)
Used to the male-female equality of the 21st century, Sam confides in Annie Norris (Gretchen Mol), the only woman in the precinct, and tries to use the intelligence she keeps hidden from her coworkers to solve cases – and the mystery of why he’s in 1973. Is he in a coma? A dream state? Crazy? A time-traveler? (Lord, I miss Journeyman!)
I’ve never seen the British Life on Mars, but for that I’m glad – I wouldn’t want to spoil any of the twists I’m sure are to come. I want to enjoy the ride with this one, although I don’t know how our talented American writers are going to keep Sam in ’73 for 22 episodes, when the original came to a conclusion after just 16.
Eleventh Hour - C
Fringe meets CSI in this new procedural from CBS – as if we didn’t have enough. Eleventh Hour is adapted from a British miniseries featuring Patrick Stewart as Dr. Jacob Hood, a biophysicist working for the FBI. The new installment is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer –what isn’t these days?—and stars British actor Rufus Sewell and his creepy eyes as the quirky doc. Hood and his FBI handler Rachel (Marley Shelton), a petite blonde with a sarcastic streak, investigate weird happenings across the U.S. — first, a cloning experiment in Seattle, then a case of 11 year old boys having heart attacks in the deep south.
The premise is a little bit more fantastic than your average procedural, but not as unpleasant as much of today’s science fiction, but fails to succeed at either one. Eleventh Hour may be a happy medium for viewers who want the strange but not the unbelievable, but its wavering nature only comes off as hesitation and self-doubt.
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